Argumentum Ad Hominem

The act of attacking the character or circumstances of an individual who is advancing a

statement or an argument instead of trying to disprove the truth of the statement or the
soundness of the argument.
The personal attack is also often termed an "ad personem argument": the statement or
argument at issue is dropped from consideration or is ignored, and the locutor's
character or circumstances are used to influence opinion.
The fallacy draws its appeal from the technique of "getting personal." The assumption is
that what the locutor is saying is entirely or partially dictated by his character or special
circumstances and so should be disregarded.

Simple Illustration
1. A makes a claim
2. B attacks A
3.Therfore, A is wrong
Example:
Mayor: PROSTITUTION must not be legalized in the Philippines.
Juan: Look whos talking! You have 2 wives and 4 mistresses! Your opinions are
worthless!

Three forms of Ad Hominem

1. Abusive
2. Circumstantial
3. Tu Queque

Abusive
Involves attacking the traits of an opponent as a means to invalidate their arguments.
This kind of fallacy arises when something about an argument tempts us to overlook the
fact that there really is no connection between the premises and character of the
opponent.
Example

Jessica:

I was one of the speakers during the Anti-Abortion Law Forum.

Marco:

Why would we listen to you? You are a High School drop-out .

Circumstantial
Ad hominem circumstantial points out that someone is in circumstances such that they
are disposed to take a particular position. Ad hominem circumstantial constitutes an
attack on the bias of a source. This is fallacious because a disposition to make a certain
argument does not make the argument false.
Example
Bill

: I believe that abortion is morally wrong

Dave : Of course you would say that, you're a priest.

Bill

: Wouldnt you listen to my reasons?

Dave : Those don't count. Like I said, you're a priest, so you have to say that abortion
abortion is wrong